Coming Soon!
Collaborations
Orlando M. Gutiérrez, MD, MMSc
Marie S. Ingalls Endowed Chair in Nephrology Leadership
Professor of Medicine and Director, Division of Nephrology
Director (cMPI), Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Senior Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research, Heersink School of Medicine
Associate Vice President for Medicine and Biomedical Research
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Robert P. Kimberly, MD
Howard L. Holley Professor of Medicine
Co-Director (MPI), Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Senior Vice Dean, Heersink School of Medicine
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Patrick Delafontaine, MD
Executive Dean, School of Medicine
Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology, and Physiology
Co-Director (MPI), Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Tulane University
Amanda Anderson, PhD, MPH
Professor of Epidemiology
Co-Director, CCTS Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD)
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Corinne E. Augelli-Szafran, PhD
Vice President of Scientific Platforms
CCTS Site Lead
Southern Research
Lydia Bazzano, MD, PhD
Lynda B. and H. Leighton Steward Professor in Nutrition Research
Professor of Epidemiology
Associate Director, CCTS Predoctoral Clinical and Translational Science Training Program (T32)
Director, Tulane Center for Lifespan Epidemiology Research
Tulane University
Meagan Brown, PharmD, BCACP
Clinical Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
CCTS Institutional Representative
University Of Mississippi
Robert Brown
Web Communications Manager
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
James J. Cimino, MD
Associate Director, Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Professor and Chair, Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Jennifer A. Croker, PhD
Senior Administrative Director
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Pamela Cunningham
Manager, Clinical Research Nursing
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Betty Darnell, MS, RD, LD
Bionutrition Research Dietitian
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Geri Davis
University of Alabama at Birmingham
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thomas Denney, PhD
Mr. & Mrs Bruce Donnellan & Family Endowed Professor
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Director, Auburn University MRI Research Center
CCTS Site Lead
Auburn University
Joel Dobbs, MPH, PharmD
Case Studies in Collaboration and Teamwork
University of Alabama at Birmingham
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Maitlyn Eady
Researcher
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jeff Edberg, PhD
CCTS Labs Director
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Daniel Feig, MD, PhD, MPH
Director, CHRU
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Meredith Fitz-Gerald, RN, MSN
University of Alabama at Birmingham
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mona Fouad, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine
Associate Director, Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Director, Minority Health & Health Equity Research Center
Senior Associate Dean, Heersink School of Medicine
Associate Vice President, UAB Office for Diversity and Inclusion
Mark N. Gillespie, PhD
SAMSF-Locke Endowed Professor
Associate Director and Site Lead, Center for Clinical and Translational Science
University of South Alabama
Renee Heffron, PhD, MPH
Professor of Medicine
Co-Director (MPI), CCTS Mentored Career Development Program (K12)
Director, UAB Center for AIDS Research
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Jamye Hester
Administrative Projects Specialist
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
John Higginbotham, PhD, MPH
Associate Dean for Research and Health Policy, College of Community Health Sciences
Professor and Chair, Department of Community Medicine and Population Health
Director, Institute for Rural Health Research
Senior Associate Vice President of Research
CCTS Site Lead
University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
Richard J. Hines, MBA
Director of Finance
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Frannie Horn, JD
Operations Lead, CCTS Hub Liaison Team
Director of Research Development, Office of Research
Clifford Kennon, EdS, MPA
Program Director- Engagement of Communities
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jean Lambert, MA
Investigator Liaison, CCTS Training Academy
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nita A. Limdi, PharmD, PhD, MSPH
University of Alabama at Birmingham
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tyren Lucas, MBA
Program Director, CCTS Training Academy
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jeanne Merchant, MPH
Program Director, CCTS KL2 & TL1 Programs
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lucio Miele, MD, PhD
Associate Director, Center for Clinical and Translational Science
CCTS Site Lead, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Chair, LSUHSC Department of Genetics
Ciara Mitchell, PhD, RDN, LD
Bionutrition Researach Dietitian and Program Director
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Brian C. Moon, MM
Communications Director
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Michael Mugavero, MD, MHSc
Professor of Medicine
Associate Director, Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Director, UAB Center for Outcomes Effectiveness Research and Education Co-Director, Center For AIDS Research
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Richard Myers, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer
President Emeritus and Faculty Investigator
CCTS Site Lead
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Jason Nichols, OD, MPH, PHD
Professor of Optometry
Senior Associate Vice President for Research
CCTS Scientific Lead, Hub Liaison Team
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Cari Oliver, MPA, CIP
Program Director, Special Projects
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Robert Oster, PhD
Professor of Medicine
Director, CCTS Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD)
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Emma Perez-Costas, PhD
GRIT
University of Alabama at Birmingham
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jennifer Pollock, PhD
Professor of Medicine
Director, CCTS Predoctoral Clinical and Translational Science Training Program (T32)
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Eric Ravussin, PhD
Douglas L. Gordon Chair in Diabetes and Metabolism and Boyd Professor
CCTS Site Lead
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
David T. Redden, PhD
Professor and Vice Chair
Department of Biostatistics
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dunia Ritchey, MEd
IND/IDE Consultation Team
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Anne Russell, PhD
Program Director, CCTS Research Commons
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kenneth G. Saag, MD, MSc
Ana Lois Waters Professor
Director (cMPI), CCTS Mentored Career Development Program (K12)
Professor of Medicine and Director, Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Swathi Thaker, PhD
Program Manager, CCTS Research Commons
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
John Trombley, MS
Program Administrator II
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Timothy Turner, PhD
Associate Vice President for Health-Related Research
Co-Director, Tuskegee University RCMI
CCTS Site Lead
Tuskegee University
Pankit Vachhani, MD
Director, CRU
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fekisha Vaughan Guyton, MPA, MSW
Clinical Billing Review Manager
Paige N. Vinson, PhD
Director, High-Throughput Screening
CCTS Co-Site Lead
Southern Research
Isabel Virella-Lowell, MD
Co-Director, CHRU
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Molly Wasko, PhD
CCTS Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Orlando M. Gutiérrez, MD, MMSc
Marie S. Ingalls Endowed Chair in Nephrology Leadership
Professor of Medicine and Director, Division of Nephrology
Director (cMPI), Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Senior Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research, Heersink School of Medicine
Associate Vice President for Medicine and Biomedical Research
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Robert P. Kimberly, MD
Howard L. Holley Professor of Medicine
Co-Director (MPI), Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Senior Vice Dean, Heersink School of Medicine
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Patrick Delafontaine, MD
Executive Dean, School of Medicine
Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology, and Physiology
Co-Director (MPI), Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Tulane University
Amanda Anderson, PhD, MPH
Professor of Epidemiology
Co-Director, CCTS Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD)
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Corinne E. Augelli-Szafran, PhD
Vice President of Scientific Platforms
CCTS Site Lead
Southern Research
Lydia Bazzano, MD, PhD
Lynda B. and H. Leighton Steward Professor in Nutrition Research
Professor of Epidemiology
Associate Director, CCTS Predoctoral Clinical and Translational Science Training Program (T32)
Director, Tulane Center for Lifespan Epidemiology Research
Tulane University
Meagan Brown, PharmD, BCACP
Clinical Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
CCTS Institutional Representative
University Of Mississippi
Robert Brown
Web Communications Manager
James J. Cimino, MD
Associate Director, Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Professor and Chair, Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Jennifer A. Croker, PhD
Senior Administrative Director
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Pamela Cunningham
Manager, Clinical Research Nursing
Betty Darnell, MS, RD, LD
Bionutrition Research Dietitian
Geri Davis
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Thomas Denney, PhD
Mr. & Mrs Bruce Donnellan & Family Endowed Professor
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Director, Auburn University MRI Research Center
CCTS Site Lead
Auburn University
Joel Dobbs, MPH, PharmD
Case Studies in Collaboration and Teamwork
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Maitlyn Eady
Researcher
Jeff Edberg, PhD
CCTS Labs Director
Daniel Feig, MD, PhD, MPH
Director, CHRU
Meredith Fitz-Gerald, RN, MSN
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Mona Fouad, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine
Associate Director, Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Director, Minority Health & Health Equity Research Center
Senior Associate Dean, Heersink School of Medicine
Associate Vice President, UAB Office for Diversity and Inclusion
Mark N. Gillespie, PhD
SAMSF-Locke Endowed Professor
Associate Director and Site Lead, Center for Clinical and Translational Science
University of South Alabama
Renee Heffron, PhD, MPH
Professor of Medicine
Co-Director (MPI), CCTS Mentored Career Development Program (K12)
Director, UAB Center for AIDS Research
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Jamye Hester
Administrative Projects Specialist
John Higginbotham, PhD, MPH
Associate Dean for Research and Health Policy, College of Community Health Sciences
Professor and Chair, Department of Community Medicine and Population Health
Director, Institute for Rural Health Research
Senior Associate Vice President of Research
CCTS Site Lead
University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
Richard J. Hines, MBA
Director of Finance
Frannie Horn, JD
Operations Lead, CCTS Hub Liaison Team
Director of Research Development, Office of Research
Clifford Kennon, EdS, MPA
Program Director- Engagement of Communities
Jean Lambert, MA
Investigator Liaison, CCTS Training Academy
Nita A. Limdi, PharmD, PhD, MSPH
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Tyren Lucas, MBA
Program Director, CCTS Training Academy
Jeanne Merchant, MPH
Program Director, CCTS KL2 & TL1 Programs
Lucio Miele, MD, PhD
Associate Director, Center for Clinical and Translational Science
CCTS Site Lead, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Chair, LSUHSC Department of Genetics
Ciara Mitchell, PhD, RDN, LD
Bionutrition Researach Dietitian and Program Director
Brian C. Moon, MM
Communications Director
Michael Mugavero, MD, MHSc
Professor of Medicine
Associate Director, Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Director, UAB Center for Outcomes Effectiveness Research and Education Co-Director, Center For AIDS Research
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Richard Myers, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer
President Emeritus and Faculty Investigator
CCTS Site Lead
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Jason Nichols, OD, MPH, PHD
Professor of Optometry
Senior Associate Vice President for Research
CCTS Scientific Lead, Hub Liaison Team
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Cari Oliver, MPA, CIP
Program Director, Special Projects
Robert Oster, PhD
Professor of Medicine
Director, CCTS Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD)
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Emma Perez-Costas, PhD
GRIT
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Jennifer Pollock, PhD
Professor of Medicine
Director, CCTS Predoctoral Clinical and Translational Science Training Program (T32)
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Eric Ravussin, PhD
Douglas L. Gordon Chair in Diabetes and Metabolism and Boyd Professor
CCTS Site Lead
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
David T. Redden, PhD
Professor and Vice Chair
Department of Biostatistics
Dunia Ritchey, MEd
IND/IDE Consultation Team
Anne Russell, PhD
Program Director, CCTS Research Commons
Kenneth G. Saag, MD, MSc
Ana Lois Waters Professor
Director (cMPI), CCTS Mentored Career Development Program (K12)
Professor of Medicine and Director, Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Swathi Thaker, PhD
Program Manager, CCTS Research Commons
John Trombley, MS
Program Administrator II
Timothy Turner, PhD
Associate Vice President for Health-Related Research
Co-Director, Tuskegee University RCMI
CCTS Site Lead
Tuskegee University
Pankit Vachhani, MD
Director, CRU
Fekisha Vaughan Guyton, MPA, MSW
Clinical Billing Review Manager
Paige N. Vinson, PhD
Director, High-Throughput Screening
CCTS Co-Site Lead
Southern Research
Isabel Virella-Lowell, MD
Co-Director, CHRU
Molly Wasko, PhD
CCTS Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
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Clinical Trials in Action: Insights from the NAUTICAL Study
Written by Brian C. Moon - May 13, 2024In an era where medical science is keenly focused on personalized medicine, understanding how diseases affect diverse populations is crucial. CCTS Associate Scientist, Dr. Pankaj Arora and the Arora Translational Lab are at the forefront of such precision medicine efforts with their groundbreaking NAUTICAL trial. -
Data2Discovery Gateway: Explore Key Data Enclaves and Accelerate Your Research with Expert Insights
Written by Swathi Thaker, May 7, 2024With the plethora of large datasets now available, it can often be difficult to figure out which one is the best for your research purpose. To help investigators sidestep obstacles, benefit from the experience and wisdom of fellow investigators, and gain an inside track to using data at scale, CCTS Informatics put together the Data2Discovery Gateway Special Interest Groups to highlight several enclaves. -
Empowering Clinical Research through Interactive Learning
Written by Brian C. Moon - May 6, 2024On April 29, 2024, a unique educational event took place at the Bevill Biomedical Sciences Building, drawing over fifty clinical research professionals. Presented by the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), this session, titled "ACTion Learning: Ensuring Consent is Truly Informed,” leveraged local actors to bring to life the complexities of the informed consent conversation. -
2024 Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Celebration of Service Awards
Written by Brian C. Moon - April 23, 2024On April 13, 2024, at the 2024 Celebration of Service, the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) of Alabama honored Dr. Lisa Gurley of Samford University’s Moffett and Sanders School of Nursing and Dr. Lemeshia Chambers of UAB’s Live HealthSmart Alabama with the 2024 Outstanding Academic Mentor and Outstanding Community Site Mentor awards, respectively. -
Tita, Carlo, and Team Win Distinguished Clinical Research Achievement Award
Written by Brian C. Moon - April 15, 2024The Clinical Research (CR) Forum, a non-profit membership association of top clinical research experts and thought leaders from the nation’s leading academic health centers, presented the Distinguished Clinical Research Achievement Award to two outstanding studies at the Top Ten Clinical Research Achievement Awards on April 2nd at the Paris Hotel Las Vegas, and for the second year in a row, CCTS investigators were recognized for their achievements. -
Translational Science 2024 Recap
Written by Tyren Lucas - April 10, 2024The annual Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) Conference (TS24), held in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 3-5, 2024, brought together over 1000 clinical research staff professionals, trainees, faculty, and national leaders, including strong representation from the CTSA consortium and our CCTS Partner Network, to celebrate advances in translational science, clinical research, and health equity. As we reflect on the highlights and moments captured at TS24, it is important to recognize how the event fostered key consortium-wide connections and initiatives as well as offering learning and collaborative opportunities.
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OnCore: Streamlining Clinical Trials Management for Research Excellence
Written by Ashley Specht - April 1, 2024The UAB research landscape is changing. On March 20, 2024, UAB President Ray Watts shared an update on planning for the Research Strategic Initiative: Growth with Purpose. The Research Strategic Initiative maps the way to reach $1 billion in research funding. With this initiative will come improvements to the technical infrastructure: new electronic research systems and expanded utilization of current systems. -
5 Tips on Writing an Outstanding Specific Aims Page
Written by Swathi Thaker - March 25, 2024Though only one page, the Specific Aims page is probably the MOST important piece of your grant. Often, reviewers will form a strong opinion about the merits of a proposal on this page alone, so you want to make sure that you maximize its potential and increase your chance for funding. Read on for tips on how to write a stellar Specific Aims page! -
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Event Brings Together Multidisciplinary Audience
Written by Brian C. Moon - March 13, 2024On March 7, 2024, an enlightening virtual event titled "Historic Lines, Current Divides: Connecting Redlining to Present Day Disparities in Birmingham" was hosted via Zoom, shining a spotlight on the enduring impacts of redlining practices in Birmingham and their ripple effects on present-day disparities. The forum was an initiative co-hosted by the Social Science and Justice Research (SSJR) pilot UWIRC and the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) -
Top 10 things the best trial PIs know about ClinicalTrials.gov
Written by Tamara Howard - March 13, 2024.Navigating the complexities of a clinical trial requires not only a deep understanding of the science but also an intimate familiarity with the tools and resources that support research excellence. -
Highlights from the 2024 Southeast Regional Clinical and Translational Science Conference
Written by Tyren Lucas - March 8, 2024The Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) takes immense pride in forging remarkable collaborations and advancing scientific innovation throughout the CTSA consortium. -
2024 CCTS Bioethics Forum Highlights Ethical AI in Healthcare for Underserved Communities
Written by Brian C. Moon - Feb. 28, 2024On February 23, 2024, the CCTS Bioethics Forum, themed "Ethical AI: Bridging Gaps in Healthcare and Research for Underserved Communities," convened in person in Montgomery, Alabama. -
Clinical Trials in Action: Insights from CCTS-Supported Research
Written by Brian C. Moon - Feb. 20, 2024A recent study from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association highlights the relationship between dietary sodium and blood pressure, adding a new dimension to our understanding of how dietary choices affect heart health. -
CCTS In Focus: Clinical Trials
At the heart of advancing human health lies a pivotal element – clinical trials. The CCTS is dedicated to fostering a future where disease and health disparities no longer burden the underserved and special populations within our region. Through our "CCTS In Focus: Clinical Trials" campaign, we emphasize the transformative role that clinical trials play in not just improving patient care but in pioneering the availability of breakthrough therapies for those most in need. -
CCTS Congratulates the 2024 Clinical and Translational Science Training Program (CTSTP) scholars
The CTSTP is a 6-month certificate program that provides training in clinical and translational research including didactic instruction as well as interactive experiences.
For a list of older Digest stories, see our News Archives.
CCTS Informatics provides the resources and expertise (both bioinformatics and clinical informatics) to support biomedical collaboration and consultation across the translational research spectrum. We offer help with study design; access to summary, limited (de-identified), and fully identified data sets; innovative tools to support clinical, translational, and outcomes research; and data analytic services. Our vision is to build a vibrant community of collaborating informaticians not only across the CCTS Hub with its academic medical system, but also across the regional CCTS Partner Network and national CTSA Consortium.
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Data Access and Support
Analyst-faciliated Data Access i2b2 Self-Service TriNetX Research™ National COVID Cohort Collaboration (N3C) ACT Network One Florida+ Data Type EHR, inclusively Significant* reflection
of EHR structured data
(e.g., labs, meds, diagnoses, procedures, billing codes and more)Limited Structured data (e.g., labs, meds, procedures, billings codes) Structured data related
to COVID-19 (e.g., labs, meds, procedures, billing codes)Structured data (labs, meds, procedures, billings codes) EHR, inclusively Who Can Access UAB Faculty and Staff CCTS based on IRB approval or policy UAB Faculty and Staff
CCTS PartnersUAB Faculty and Staff UAB Faculty, Staff and ***participating Institutions UAB Faculty and Staff UAB Faculty and Staff Patient Population UAB Medicine UAB Medicine UAB + over 70 HCOs UAB + over 50 HCOs CCTS Partners (coming soon) Select Health Systems in FL, GA and AL Results PHI / PII, HIPAA Limited Data (LDS)
Aggregate CountsHIPAA Limited Data
Aggregate CountsHIPAA Limited Data
Aggregate CountsHIPAA Limited Data Aggregate Counts Aggregate Counts HIPAA Limited Data (LDS),
Aggregate CountsDownloadable Yes (with assistance) Yes Yes (HIPAA LDS with approval) No Yes Yes (with assistance) IRB Requirement Approved Investigator-initiated protocol if PHI or LDS **No individual IRB
Approval requiredApproved Investigator-
initiated protocol for LDSApproved Investigator-initiated protocol **No individual IRB Approval required Approved Investigator-initiated protocol required Cost to Use CCTS/Informatics Instituted Supported; Budget in grants CCTS/Informatics
Institute SupportedFree preparatory to research; Budget in
grantsNo Charge CCTS/Informatics
Institute SupportedDetermined by project scope Log in to DataLENS i2b2
LoginContact
CCTSN3C
LoginACT Network
LoginOne Florida+
Front Door---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EHR, Electronic Health Record; HCO, Healthcare Organization; PHI, Protected Health Information; PII, Personally identifiable information, HIPAA, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; CTSA, Clinical and Translational Science Award(ee)
*Fact types include allergy data, billed charges, biospecimen data, blood pressure, BMI and waist, cancer registry, clinical diagnosis, consult orders, diagnosis-related group (DRG), encounter insurance, encounter service, height, weight, immunizations, lab panels, lab powerplans, labs, medications, microbiology, select powernotes, problems, procedures (CPTs, ICD9/10), radiology events, social history, surgery data, etc.
** Permitted Users, covered entities, and any Authorized Party on User's behalf listed in (Research Title/Grant Title) may use i2b2 self-service Limited Data Sets only for the purposes which shall be limited to research, public health activities, and health care operations as defined in the HIPAA Privacy Rule (per IRB protocol E160105006) and not for no other purpose.
*** Institutions listed on the N3C website https://covid.cd2h.org/enclave_DUA_signatories
For more complex data needs, including access to detailed data sets, investigators can submit a request to CCTS Informatics for support from an Electronic Data Warehouse (EDW) analyst. -
National COVID-19 Cohort Collaborative (N3C)
N3C is Open for Business. Learn How to Get Started.
*Click here to review the latest N3C updates.
The National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) has created a large, centralized data resource available to the research community to study COVID-19 at a scale and statistical power not possible within any single institution. N3C has assembled a standardized collection of clinical, laboratory and diagnostic data from hospital electronic health records and health care plans across the country for analysis within an accessible, cloud-based data enclave. Here is how you can get involved:
- Secure IRB approval from your institution – submit a request for human subjects research exemption from your IRB (see template here). See also this example of the HIPAA Waiver Request.
- UAB Investigators, remember to connect your IRB approval request to the N3C research initiative. Here's how: The IRB EPortfolio contains this question: Does the project involve other agreements not identified by an OSP Assigned Number (e.g. Fee for Service)?“ Respond with text that includes the following information: " The N3C DUA corresponds to OSP# 000529456 and IRB-300005342, both led by CCTS Co-Director and UAB Informatics Institute Director, Dr. James Cimino.”
- On-board with the N3C data enclave – register for membership (ORCID ID required) and gain access to workstreams (e.g., Collaborative Analytics) to share how-to’s and solutions.
- Read the N3C Data User Code of Conduct.
- Create an account to access the N3C Data Enclave.
- Train Up! All users of the N3C Data Enclave are required to complete the 2020 Information Security, Counterintelligence, Privacy Awareness, Records Management Refresher, Emergency Preparedness Refresher. Users are also expected, but not required, to complete the Palantir Fundamentals training course available within an active N3C account.
- Prepare Information to submit a Data Use Request (DUR). Guided by this template, a DUR will need to be completed online upon accessing the enclave, requiring upload of your IRB approval letter.
The DUR and IRB approval letter can be submitted to N3C once the DUA is signed by the University. In the meantime, CCTS Partner Institutions are establishing the requisite Data Use Agreements with N3C. Multiple CCTS partner institutions have signed data use agreements in place and investigators at those sites are eligible to analyze data in the enclave: Click to view the full list of institutions with active DUAs.
Additional Resources:
These domain teams offer disciplinary opportunities for physician scientists. Coding skills not required!
N3C Fact Sheet
Getting started powerpoint presentation.
Access the N3C Helpdesk here.
Access the N3C Support Desk here.
Review the N3C Registration Checklist.
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions.
*On July 29th, CCTS and the UAB Informatics Institute hosted an N3C workshop aimed at preparing researchers to utilize this data resource. Access those presentation slides here. Recording of the event is available on the CCTS Video Channel. -
Informatics-based Scientific Gateways
Scientific Gateways are collaborative, multidisciplinary panel discussions – assembling expertise in informatics, design & methodology, and clinical investigation – to help investigators explore novel research directions. In partnership with the Center for Outcomes & Effectiveness Research, the CCTS supports two Scientific Gateway models dedicated to 1) ‘omics data analysis and 2) secondary clinical data analysis. To submit a project idea for consideration, fill in the relevant Informatics Gateway Request Form below or contact CCTS Research Commons at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 205-996-4478. -
Bioinformatics
CCTS Bioinformatics provides data and analytic support for the following:
- Next Generation Sequence Analysis
- Microarray analysis
- Microbiome
- Data storage, management, and sharing plans
- Southeast SHRINE Consortium
- Educational tools and programs
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Clinical Research Informatics
CCTS Clinical Research Informatics provides access to clinical data in the UAB Health System electronic health record to support:
- Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) Initiative
- Data access and exchange (via i2b2, SHRINE, and EDW analysts)
- Subject recruitment and retention tools—cohort feasibility, subject identification (with IRB approval), clinical phenotype
- Design and implementation of clinical research studies and secondary data analyses
- Targeting clinical trial opportunities (TriNetX)
- Informatics research (UAB Informatics Institute)
- Data science for population insights and "big data" integration
The All of Us Program opened the Researcher Workbench and is inviting researchers to apply for access to explore the initial dataset and tools. The Researcher Workbench is a secure, cloud-based platform that offers researchers an opportunity to execute rapid, hypothesis-driven research and build new methods for the future. -
Informatics Training
CCTS Informatics offers multiple opportunities throughout the year for investigators interested in learning more about informatics. Training events range from those to provide a general overview of concepts and to use informatics platforms (e.g., i2b2) to understand the language to deeper exploration of principles to develop competency and expertise.